Clemson vs Syracuse: Memorial Stadium was buzzing with anticipation, but a sudden lightning warning forced a pause at halftime, leaving Clemson trailing 24-14 against Syracuse. The Tigers struggled to keep pace with a relentless Orange squad that dominated both offense and defense in the first half.
Early Struggles and Syracuse’s Dominance
Syracuse jumped out to an early lead, scoring on their opening drive and shaking up Clemson’s special teams with a successful onside kick. By the time quarterback Cade Klubnik led the Tigers onto the field, they were already down 10-0. Clemson managed a touchdown pass from Klubnik to Bryant Wesco Jr., but Syracuse’s ground game continued to carve through the Tigers’ defense. Running backs Yasin Willis and Will Nixon both found the end zone, while quarterback Steve Angeli threw two touchdown passes, including a 22-yard connection to Darrell Gill Jr.
Clemson’s Fightback Before Halftime
Clemson’s final score of the half came from a 92-yard, 13-play drive, with Klubnik connecting to running back Adam Randall. Despite the effort, the Tigers still trailed by 10 points. Klubnik finished the half 15-of-21 for 152 yards and two touchdowns, supported by the return of standout receiver Antonio Williams, who contributed three receptions for 28 yards. Randall shone as the team’s workhorse, rushing eight times for 85 yards and converting multiple first downs on his own.
Lightning Delay Forces Strategy Shift
At 2:10 p.m., an announcement from the stadium confirmed that the game would be suspended due to lightning detected within eight miles, with play expected to resume at least 30 minutes later. Clemson will look to use the break to regroup and strategize for a second-half surge, aiming to avoid a 1-3 season start and rely on their key players to mount a comeback.
Disclaimer: This article reflects game status at halftime and is subject to change as the second half progresses.
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